I'm passionate about reaching a younger generation! If you've ever received e-mail from me, you may have noticed a verse that's always under my name and title in the signature line. It's Psalm 78:4, and it says:
"Tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done."
I love that verse! It really speaks to my heart to proclaim the Gospel to younger generations. Every age-group needs to hear and be transformed by the Gospel, but for many reasons my passion and calling finds traction in sharing Jesus with those younger than myself, especially youth and young adults.
Another powerful passage in Scripture is Philippians 2:3-4:
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Those two Scriptures were penned centuries apart from one another, and yet, when read together, they carry a powerful conviction, one that could be summed up in an uncomfortable question:
Are we building a church for ourselves, or for the next generation?
That's a really tough question, and one that requires us to be honest with ourselves. Let me share one more verse with you, from Proverbs 13:22a:
"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children..."
To leave a monetary inheritance to your children's children requires several things:
1) Vision. Leaving a long-term legacy requires that you see beyond your own needs to the needs of your children and their children, and plan accordingly.
2) Hard work. Leaving a multi-generational inheritance requires years of hard work, saving, and investing in the future.
3) Selfless sacrifice. An inheritance like the one Proverbs 13:22 speaks of will never come from a selfish man. It is only possible if a man denies his own desires, has a vision for the future, works hard, and considers the needs of his children and grandchildren greater than his own.
Let me ask you a question: are you preparing a spiritual inheritance for your children and your children's children? Is yours a personal faith that will leave ripples long after you leave this earth, that your grandkids will one day pass on to their own children, and on, and on, for generations to come?
And are we together investing in and building a church that is an inheritance to our children and our children's children? Are we creating an environment in which they can grow and ask questions and feel safe and express themselves and feel comfortable inviting their friends and contribute to ministry and learn and eventually lead? If not, what can we do to begin to build that inheritance, so that together we can "tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done."
"Tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done."
I love that verse! It really speaks to my heart to proclaim the Gospel to younger generations. Every age-group needs to hear and be transformed by the Gospel, but for many reasons my passion and calling finds traction in sharing Jesus with those younger than myself, especially youth and young adults.
Another powerful passage in Scripture is Philippians 2:3-4:
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Those two Scriptures were penned centuries apart from one another, and yet, when read together, they carry a powerful conviction, one that could be summed up in an uncomfortable question:
Are we building a church for ourselves, or for the next generation?
That's a really tough question, and one that requires us to be honest with ourselves. Let me share one more verse with you, from Proverbs 13:22a:
"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children..."
To leave a monetary inheritance to your children's children requires several things:
1) Vision. Leaving a long-term legacy requires that you see beyond your own needs to the needs of your children and their children, and plan accordingly.
2) Hard work. Leaving a multi-generational inheritance requires years of hard work, saving, and investing in the future.
3) Selfless sacrifice. An inheritance like the one Proverbs 13:22 speaks of will never come from a selfish man. It is only possible if a man denies his own desires, has a vision for the future, works hard, and considers the needs of his children and grandchildren greater than his own.
Let me ask you a question: are you preparing a spiritual inheritance for your children and your children's children? Is yours a personal faith that will leave ripples long after you leave this earth, that your grandkids will one day pass on to their own children, and on, and on, for generations to come?
And are we together investing in and building a church that is an inheritance to our children and our children's children? Are we creating an environment in which they can grow and ask questions and feel safe and express themselves and feel comfortable inviting their friends and contribute to ministry and learn and eventually lead? If not, what can we do to begin to build that inheritance, so that together we can "tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done."